Residents Near Hollywood Sign Say Tourists Have Gone Too Far

HOLLYWOOD HILLS (CBS) — Thousands of people make the trek up Beechwood Canyon to see the world-famous Hollywood sign but homeowners and residents say they’ve had enough with all the extra traffic and congestions on their streets.

City Councilman Tom Labonge held a community meeting Tuesday night to hear their concerns and to try and come up with a solution.

“We attract people 365 days a year, 24 hours a day into an area with much less resources than the ones mentioned and we have nothing. We are totally defenseless,” Hollywoodland resident Sarajane Schwartz said at the meeting.

The recent increase in traffic was blamed, in part, on Web sites directing tourists to viewing areas, and on GPS devices which include the Hollywood sign in their points of interest.

Sign supporters are fighting to keep the landmark available to all tourists who come to see it each day.

“Save the Hollywood sign again! Do not restrict access to a sign seen all over the world,” supporter Richard Eastman shouted at the meeting.

Patrick Hickey owns “Rock N’ Hollywood Tours” and suggested that the city charge tour operators a fee to take tourists up to the sign.

A real solution, according to Labonge, may take some time, but he is promising to find an equitable solution for both residents and visitors.

A bunch of idiots. First they move there then they complain and cry about tourists from all over the world who want to see this world famous sign. Just sell your home, move out and live in a cave where it’s nice and quiet.

Tourism is one of the biggest money makers for the city. And the iconic Hollywood sign is a huge part of the international draw to L.A. As long as the streets are public access, this neighborhood will have to endure. I live at Sunset and Bronson. Where numerous tour buses pass daily on a noisy basis. As well as the daily sirens from the fire station, the hospital and police emergencies. Should I be allowed to have the city create a quiet zone for me? NO. I need to make my millions and move to Montecito, where they do not have signs on the hills.

Here is a fine example of just one problem with today’s society. After reading all these insensitive/one-sided remarks I would be willing to bet that they would be singing a different tune if the situation was reversed and THEY were the ones dealing with this problem. This is the selfish attitude our society has become. When these people talk, all you really hear out of them is: “Me, Me, Me” and the heck with the rest of the world!

I have to agree Rich. Until yesterday, I called them all whiners too. However, instead of trying to keep out the tourists, the Hollywoodland residents merely stated, the city needs a place for these tourists to go.

The sign (and land around the sign?) was sold to Griffith Park (last year?). I suggest that Griffith Park create a place for these tourists to go and visit the sign. That location can be loaded into GPS and everyone will be happy.